Technically, a free Internet Phone (IP) network service provider (NSP) isn't always free because these Internet Phone services require a high-speed Internet connection and, in many cases, additional handphone converter equipment. However, when compared to traditional landline phone services, an Internet protocol phone may save your business costs, especially if you make a significant number of international calls.
Usually what makes certain VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone companies classify their services as "free" is proprietary software marketed as freeware. To be classified as "freeware," the VoIP software must be fully functional for an unlimited period of time with no cost to the user.
Before selecting "free" or low cost VoIP network service providers, your criteria may include:
Visit review websites for better selection of free or low cost VoIP network service providers
You can find IP network providers on product review websites and at reliable product comparison websites.
I recommend: VoipReview.org offers a long list of reviews for VoIP service providers. The
CNET Editors Guide to VoIP is a solid resource for VoIP network service providers with a focus on low-cost and free services. The
VoIP Now blog focuses on free IP phone services.
Voxilla.com's product reviews of VoIP Software page provides a solid starting point for those looking for VoIP NSPs.
Consider Instant Messenger services with free or low-cost network telephony solutions
Contenders in this IM-with-VoIP free or low-cost IP NSP arena include major online players like Google, Yahoo, MySpace, and MSN.
I recommend: Windows Live Messenger is an MSN feature that couples Instant Messaging (IM) with a PC-to-PC VoIP function and a webcam video option along with other features. You can download it free of charge.
Google Talk is a free beta product that also offers instant text messaging and PC-to-PC VoIP.
Yahoo! Messenger offers Yahoo! Voice Phone Out, a service that includes free PC-to-PC and PC-to-Mobile Phone calls.
MySpace.com's MySpaceIM with Skype allows MySpace online social community users to make free PC-to-Mobile Phone calls on IM to MySpace "Friends."
Consider IP network service providers offering free or low cost services to mobile phones and PDAs
Some free IP network providers also offer their own mobile phones
I recommend: Network telephony provider
Skype offers free phone calls made to other Skype users worldwide. Skype also has its SkypeOut low-cost call service enabling users to make calls from Skype-enabled PCs to non-Skype cell phones. At the Skype Store, you can buy Skype-enabled cordless telephones (mostly from Philips) as well as Skype-enabled WiFi phones (from Netgear).
Gizmo5, an early developer of free VoIP software, offers free PC-to-Mobile phone service to 60 countries, or you can download Gizmo5 Mobile software to a compatible mobile phone for low-cost international calls from anywhere.
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